Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Update

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published the most recent statistics on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.  As of January 17, 2013, USCIS had received 407,899 applications.  Of those applications, 13,366 were initially rejected.  This means that there was a problem with the application itself, such as missing documents or missing fees.  Of the remaining 394,533 applications, 154,404 have been approved.  USCIS does not release statistics on how many applications are denied.  Therefore, it is not known whether the remaining 240,000 applications are still pending or have been denied.

USCIS also does not publish statistics on how long it takes to process the deferred action applications.  From my experience, I can say that I have made applications in October which remain pending.  y advice with respect to visa petitions has been to expect about six to eight months before receiving a decision.  At this point, the applications I have made have not reached the six to eight month mark.

Applications peaked in September and October of 2012, and have steadily dropped off since then.  However, applications for deferred action are still being accepted.  More information about the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals can be found on my web page.

By:  William J. Kovatch, Jr.
(703) 837-8832
info@kovatchimmigrationlaw.com

Updated Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Statistics

According to USCIS, over 4,000 applications for deferred action for childhood arrivals have been approved as of October 10, 2012.

Official statistics can be found here.

By:  William J. Kovatch, Jr.
(703) 837-8832
info@kovatchimmigrationlaw.com

Deferred Action Scams Are All Too Common

Here's an article from the Modesto Bee, making the same point I made below.  Beware of scams.  Be conscious of price and of what you are getting for your money.  There was another angle I saw out there.  Apparently, some unscrupulous people are having applicants pay them to help fill out the forms and compile the documents, but then using the information for identity theft.

The article also affirms my pricing schedule on deferred action applications.  $500 to help you fill out the form, compile the documents, and engage in reasonable follow-up is about what you should be willing to pay.

If you have any more questions about the deferred action program, or would like to hire me to assist you in the process, then give me a call at (703) 837-8832.

http://www.modbee.com/2012/09/01/2354703/applicants-advised-of-scams-legal.html

By:  William J. Kovatch, Jr.
(703) 837-8832